Boy’s, Girl’s State attendees honored by American Legion

By Curtis Riggs | November 19, 2008

Post 34 sent four to Arizona conferences
CAVE CREEK – Four Cactus Shadows students were recently honored for their first-hand participation in democracy.

Kevin Hilderbrandt, a Cactus Shadows senior, attended Boy’s State, which was held at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff over the summer. Cave Creek American Legion Post 34 sponsored Hilderbrandt’s participation.

Cactus Shadows seniors Jessica Duran, Kayla Chester and Tara Fee attended Girl’s State at the University of Arizona in Tucson. The Cave Creek Unit 34 Auxiliary of the American Legion sponsored the girl’s participation.

It is customary for students to participate in the Boy’s and Girl’s State conferences between their junior and senior years in high school. Both conferences were held in the first week of June.

Each state sends representatives to attend a national government program in Washington, D.C. where they run for political office, try to get mock legislation passed and meet with U.S. Congressmen and Senators. The week at the national conference is capped off by a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House.

Boy’s State chairwoman Barb Owings said attendance at the two mock government events can be “very important” to a student’s career especially if they are considering going into politics or government.

“It’s a great way to try to get into a military academy,” she said.

The conference attendees were recently honored at a lunch sponsored by the local Legion Auxiliary, where the students spoke about their experiences with the programs.

A look into the life of Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia

By Andrew Gesell | November 19, 2008

Mayor Francia, who is serving his fifth two-year term as Cave Creek Mayor, is known as a conservationist and a free thinker.

Francia, 63, was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Jesuit John Carrol University with a degree in both history and philosophy followed by four years in the Peace Corps in Paraguay, South America.

“Creating an environment for citizens to be able to express their opinions and preservation of Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area,” are Francia’s main issues.

Mayor Francia has strong views on the illegal immigration issue in Cave Creek. When asked about day labor in Cave Creek, Francia responded, “I view it as a challenge, not a problem, and one whose resolution is complex. The ‘doing about this issue,’ is directly related to that which the town is legally allowed to do.”

As for Francia’s life beyond politics, he is known as a peaceful negotiator, a calm worker, and a good listener.

“Hard working, cares about his citizens, gets things done,” are just a few of the things Mayor Francia’s Executive Assistant Barbara Allen had to say about him.

Francia’s wife, Amelia Blanco, describes him as “supportive.”

Francia describes himself as a person of “kind thoughts, gentle words and compassionate actions.”

Francia attributes his reputation as a peaceful representative to his years in the Peace Corps and his introduction into Buddhism.